R&D Centre of IIL and OAT Agrio start operations

Insecticides (India) Ltd (IIL)., country’s leading agrochemical company, announced the operationalization of its new Research and Development (R&D) facility at Chopanki, Rajasthan, which has been established in a joint venture with Japanese company OAT Agrio Co., Ltd. IIL had entered into a joint venture with Otsuka Agritechno Co, now OAT Agrio Co, for research and development of new agrochemical molecules in 2013.

 

Spread across 25,000 sq ft working area, the state-of-the art R&D centre of the JV Company, will bring scientists of India and Japan under one roof to research and invent 2-3 agchem molecules to control pests, weeds, and diseases affecting important crops like soybean, cotton, wheat and rice across globe in next 3 years. Situated adjacent to the company’s Bhiwadi plant and set up at an investment of Rs 40 crores, the facility employs about 45 employees including chemists and biologists to synthesize and evaluate about 7, 000 compounds every year. 

 

The ultra modern JV facility consists of three synthetic laboratories, 2 air-conditioned green houses, three breeding rooms, two bio-assay rooms, growth chambers, dedicated sewage treatment plant (STP) among others. It is exclusively divided in Chemical and Biological departments and chemical laboratories confirm all the world-class norms with latest instruments like NMR and the Lab is designed and set by Kewaunee, USA.

 

"It is momentous to see the operationalization of the facility. This is the first time that we have set up this kind of facility outside Japan which makes it all the more glorious for us. The coming together of the two companies has set the ball rolling for discovery of new molecules that will be beneficial for important crops like soybean, cotton, and wheat and rice world over. We are aiming to apply for 10 basic patents in the next three years and discover 2-3 new molecules,” said Mr. Akihei Mori, President & CEO of OAT Agrio Co. 

 

"Indian companies shy away from Research, as it is costly, risky and has long gestation period. This centre is one of its kinds where the research and invention of altogether new agro chemical molecules will be done for first time in India. I am sure that joining hands with OAT Agrio for this noble cause will really be able to make difference to farming community in India. We already have an In house R&D Centre which is recognized with DSIR and QC labs are NABL accredited, where the process of off-patented, specialty and generic products by reverse engineering are developed. The world has 1055 molecules and today India has just 250 molecules, so there is a vast scope of developing technology in the country. I am sure that this will help the Indian farmers to get the benefit of the latest technology at the most reasonable prices. To mark this golden day, we also propose a Crop Care Day, that will be observed by Insecticides (India) and the company will work towards the awareness among the farmers,” said Mr. Rajesh Aggarwal, Managing Director, Insecticides (India) Ltd.   

 

IIL has emerged as a front line performer in India’s crop care market with a top line of 864. Cr (net Turnover) in the fiscal year 2013-14 and is all set to touch Rs. 1200 Cr. this fiscal (2014-2015). The company owns Tractor Brand which is highly popular among the farmers. This umbrella brand of its agro products signifies the company’s deep connection with the farming community. Biggest strength of the IIL are its Power Brands Lethal, Victor, Thimet, Monocil, Nuvan, Hijack, Xplode, Pulsor and Hakama.